Natural Asphalt
WHAT IS NATURAL ASPHALT ?
Natural Asphalt is derived from bituminous rocks through natural mineral precipitation over millions of years. Mined as fine granular powder with a light brown color, it contains approximately 80% to 85% asphalt and the rest are limestone minerals. Primarily used as an additive, Natural Asphalt, or Gilsonite, finds applications in asphalt and road paving, oil and gas drilling fluids, inks, paint manufacturing, and the foundry sector. Natural Bitumen As a Hot Mixed Bitumen binder modifier, Natural bitumen enhances road durability, making it less susceptible to temperature and deformation issues. Modified asphalt binders result in stronger and thinner roads, with a reduction of up to 20% compared to other pavements. Our Mineral Bitumen grades, available in lumps, powder, and pellets, cater to various industries and applications, ranging from mesh size 30 to 200.
The recommended dosage is 5-10% per ton mix, requiring no modification to the hot mix plant. Natural Bitumen maintains the PG grading of the bitumen, improves low-temperature flexibility, enhances cohesive strength, reduces rutting and moisture sensitivity, and extends road service life. It has been utilized globally, such as in resurfacing the A25 Autobahn in Germany, offering environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, elasticity benefits, improved compaction, and reduced emissions. In response to the financial crisis in Europe, manufacturers and contractors have increasingly turned to Natural Bitumen as a reliable and efficient replacement for polymeric additives. In 2014, we supplied 700,000 tons of Natural Asphalt (Gilsonite) worldwide, reinforcing its status as a preferred choice in various industries.
NATURAL ROCK ASPHALT FEATURES
With a high softening point, our asphalt significantly enhances pavement stability and rutting resistance at high temperatures. Nitrogen content improves bitumen viscosity, oxidation resistance, adhesion, and aggregate cut-off resistance, enhancing water damage resistance. The molecular weight, fused with base asphalt at high temperature, exhibits a “semi-polymerization” effect. Our natural rock asphalt forms a durable protective film, resisting microbial erosion and slowing down aging, thus prolonging road service life. Being wax-free ensures high-quality asphalt. The manufacturing process is simple and construction-friendly. Modified base asphalt with Buton rocks ensures stable performance. Choose Raha as your trusted supplier of Natural Asphalt worldwide.
NATURAL ASPHALT MINING
The initial exploitation and mining of natural asphalt took place from 1940 to 1941, yielding 670 tons of natural rock asphalt in 1940. Production fluctuated over the years, reaching 8,000 tons in 1945. The peak production occurred in 1949, with the mining of 12,900 tons of natural rock asphalt, all of which were utilized in road construction.
NATURAL ASPHALT: APPLICATION
Natural asphalt‘s unique properties make it versatile across various applications, including waterproofing materials, paints, varnishes, and specialized uses in the printing industry. Its notable advantage lies in inherent stability, eliminating the need for additional modifiers or additives, unlike petroleum-based asphalts. This consistency not only ensures reliable performance but also leads to cost savings and reduced reliance on additives in construction or manufacturing. Additionally, its organic origin and minimal processing align with sustainable practices, presenting an environmentally friendly alternative in various domains.
NATURAL ASPHALT IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Gilsonite, when mixed with asphalt, forms a base stock composition incorporating rubber latex residue. This mixture, either as a standalone paving material or emulsified into a natural asphalt emulsion, provides various applications. The addition of Gilsonite reinforces asphalt against rutting and thinning, offering benefits such as high bond capability for waterproofing, improved stability for heavy traffic loads, a high melting point to resist deformation in tropical temperatures, and enhanced resistance to UV exposure and fatigue from repeated loads.
NATURAL ASPHALT IN DRILLING
In oil and gas drilling, Mineral Bitumen serves as a versatile organic additive, including dispersing agents, retarders, and fluid loss control additives. Gilsonite, a key component, prevents interstitial water from infiltrating the formation during cement placement. Its polymer-based nature makes it crucial for fluid loss control, acting as a shale inhibitor, shale stabilizer, borehole lubricant, sealant for depleted sand, and wall cake conditioner.
ENHANCED ASPHALT COMPOSITION
This invention focuses on an asphalt cement blend comprising petroleum asphalt, Mineral Bitumen, reactive oil, and an elastomer with a gel content of up to approximately 95 percent by weight.
TOUGHENING ASPHALT WITH NATURAL BITUMEN
The innovation involves fortifying asphalt cement with Mineral Bitumen and thinning it using a reactive oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids. The use of such oil allows for a lower viscosity application initially, with subsequent curing preventing rutting.
MIXING NATURAL ASPHALT IN BITUMEN
To create an asphalt blend, combine:
- 100 parts by weight of petroleum asphalt
- Approximately 1 to 10 parts by weight of natural asphalt
- Approximately 1 to 10 parts by weight of a thinning reactive oil with at least 60% unsaturated fatty acid content (14 to 24 carbon atoms)
- Approximately 1 to 10 parts by weight of an elastomer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL ASPHALT
The notably high softening point of natural rock asphalt can significantly enhance the high-temperature stability of asphalt pavement, thereby improving its resistance to rutting. The presence of nitrogen elements in the form of functional groups increases the viscosity of bitumen, resulting in enhanced oxidation resistance, adhesion, and resistance, which markedly improves the prevention of aggregate dislodgment and enhances resistance to water damage in asphalt pavement. At high temperatures, its molecular weight, along with the base asphalt, exhibits a “semi-polymerization” effect.
Natural rock asphalt forms a tight, naturally protective film on the surface, providing robust resistance against microbial erosion. This protective film contributes to a more durable surface, slowing down the aging process and extending the service life of the road.
Notably, natural rock asphalt is wax-free, and a high wax content can compromise the quality of asphalt. The manufacturing process of natural rock asphalt is simple, ensuring ease of construction. When modified with base asphalt, Buton rocks contribute to more stable performance.
RAHA GILSONITE Co stands as the most dependable supplier of Natural Asphalt, serving customers worldwide.
NATURAL ASPHALT PACKAGING
Natural asphalt, in its various forms such as lumps, granules, or micronized powder, is typically packaged in different types of containers or packaging materials to ensure its safe transportation, storage, and handling. The packaging options for natural asphalt may vary depending on the specific product, manufacturer, and customer requirements. Here are some common packaging methods for natural asphalt:
- Bags: Natural asphalt powder or granules are often packaged in sturdy, moisture-resistant bags. These bags can be made of materials such as polypropylene (PP) or paper with inner liners to provide additional protection against moisture and contaminants. The bags are usually available in different sizes, ranging from small bags of a few kilograms to larger bags of several hundred kilograms.
- Drums: Liquid forms of natural asphalt, such as molten asphalt or asphalt emulsions, are commonly packaged in drums. The drums are typically made of steel or plastic and have tight-fitting lids to prevent leakage or spillage during transportation. The standard drum size for asphalt is typically 55 gallons (approximately 208 liters).
- Bulk Containers: In some cases, natural asphalt may be transported and stored in bulk containers such as flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) or bulk bags. These containers have a larger capacity and are designed to handle significant quantities of natural asphalt, making them suitable for industrial-scale applications.
- Tankers: For large-scale transportation and storage of liquid natural asphalt, tankers or tank trucks may be used. These specialized vehicles are designed to transport and deliver liquid asphalt in bulk quantities, typically ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of gallons.
It’s important to ensure that the packaging materials used for natural asphalt are compatible with the product and can adequately protect it from moisture, contamination, and physical damage. Proper labeling and handling instructions should also be provided on the packaging to ensure safe and appropriate usage.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that specific packaging requirements and regulations may vary depending on the region, industry standards, and transportation regulations. It’s advisable to consult with the manufacturer or adhere to applicable guidelines to ensure compliance and safe handling of natural asphalt.
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET OF NATURAL ROCK ASPHLAT
| TEST | RESULT | TEST METHOD |
|---|---|---|
| ASH CONTENT,WT% | 5 | ASTM-D3174 |
| MOISTURE CONTENT,WT% | 1% | ASTM-D3173 |
| VOLATILE MATTER,WT% | 63 | ASTM-D3175 |
| SOLUBILITY IS CS2,WT% | 81 | ASTM-D4 |
| SPECIFIC GRAVITY @25C | 1.11 | ASTM-D3289 |
| NORMAL NEPTHAN INSOLUBLES,WT% | 79 | ASTM-D3279 |
| COLOR IS MASS | BLACK | ———————- |
| COLOR IN STREAK OR POWDER | BLACK | ———————- |
| SOFTENING POINT,C | 175 | ASTM-D36 |
| PENETRATION @25C | 0 | ASTM-D5 |
| ELEMENT ANALYSIS | ||
| CARBON WT% | 84 | ASTM-D5291 |
| HYDROGEN WT% | 7.1 | ASTM-D5291 |
| NITROGEN WT% | 3.67 | ASTM-D5291 |
| OXYGEN WT% | 3.1 | ASTM-D5291 |
| SULPHURE WT% | 4 | LECO(S)ANALYSER |
